Phylogenetic Analysis of the Onchobothriidae (Cestoidea) with Investigation of Scolex Homoplasy and Attachment Site Configuration

Onchobotreidae科的线虫是鲨鱼肠道内的寄生虫。珍宁·凯纳博士建议研究该科物种之间的进化关系，并在这个过程中识别那些与进化关系不一致的形态特征，因为它们在不同的谱系中独立进化。凯纳博士随后建议分析这些角色在多大程度上适应了蠕虫与鲨鱼的机械附着。这项拟议的研究在几个层面上具有广泛的影响。进化研究将导致对该科物种的更准确的了解，改进的分类，以及更可靠的鉴定标准。依恋适应的研究有可能阐明共同进化的过程，这是整个生物学感兴趣的主题。

Cestode worms of the family Onchobothriidae are parasites in the intestines of sharks. Dr. Janine Caira proposes to study the evolutionary relationships among the species of the family, and in the process identify those morphological features that are discordant with evolutionary relationships, in that they evolve independently in different lineages. Dr. Caira then proposes to analyze the degree to which these characters are adaptations to the mechanical attachment of worms to the shark. The proposed study has broad implications on several levels. The evolutionary study will lead to a more accurate understanding of the species of the family, an improved classification, and more reliable identification criteria. The study of attachment adaptation has potential for illuminating the process of coevolution, a subject of interest throughout biology.